Axe Valley Runners David and Susi Sadler travelled to Mid-Wales for the infamous Man v Horse race in Llanwrtyd Wells. It was blisteringly hot for the 21-mile race, which challenges runners to beat horses across mountainous terrain with an incredibly challenging 3800 feet ascent.
For only the fourth time since the race began in 1980, a runner did actually beat the horse, with Daniel Connolly finishing in a superb time of 2:24.38. First horse home was DNS Ronaldo ridden by Kate Atkinson in 2:34.25.
The race was started by BBC newsreader Sophie Raworth, along with Susie Chan, endurance runner and peloton instructor, with the two of them then running the race. David and Susi are dedicated Man v Horse participants, with David having taken part eight times and Susi nine, including once riding a horse! They described this year’s event as the hardest yet but loved it more than ever.
Moving to the other side of the country and the Essex coast, Ron Seward ran the Southend half-marathon in sizzling conditions, where the mercury hit 26 degrees, making it a huge challenge for all the runners. A brilliantly marshalled course comprising of two loops along the seafront was interspersed with water sprays and numerous drinks stops. Ron finished 291st from more than 1,500 participants in a time of 1:47:06. Given the conditions, he was pleased with the result.
Another sunny Saturday in Seaton saw 244 finishers at parkrun and milestones for AVR’s Louise Rawlins celebrating completing 25 events and Haydn Boehm reaching 50 volunteer stints. At parkrun, volunteering and completing the 5k is celebrated with milestone T-shirts, wristbands, buffs and vests available when you reach 25, 50, 100, 250 and, even, 500.
First finisher on Saturday was Ritchie Durrant in 17.44 with Debbie Whiston first female in 19.55, also second on age-grade with 79%. Andy West, back from injury, was third on age-grade with 77% for his 22.43. Ann-Louise Gridley got a PB, 32.44 and Simon Dimmock celebrated an impressive 200th parkrun. Look up Seaton parkrun to take part in one of the best events in the weekly calendar.
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